State Sen. Tom Leek filed legislation on Oct. 10 in honor of Daytona Beach Police Department officer Jason Raynor who was killed in 2021 in the line of duty.
Here’s the description of the proposed legislation:
Senate Bill 156: Criminal Offenses Against Law Enforcement Officers and Other Personnel, citing this act as the “Officer Jason Raynor Act”; revising a prohibition on the use or threatened use of force to resist arrest or detention; providing for enhanced punishment for manslaughter when committed against specified officers; revising provisions concerning assault or battery upon specified officers and other personnel; revising a provision concerning resisting, obstructing, or opposing specified officers or legally authorized persons, etc.
“Those who choose to attack our brave men and women first responders with deadly force must face the consequences of their actions and be held accountable and prosecuted to the highest extent of the law,” said Leek. “I am proud to have the strong support of our law enforcement community on this significant legislative proposal, so they know we have their back, as they lay their lives on the line each and every day.”
State Rep. Jessica Baker (R-Jacksonville) has filed the companion bill, House Bill 17, which has been referred to the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the House Judiciary Committee.
The Officer Down Memorial Page website gives an account of the incident that claimed Raynor’s life. It can be found at odmp.org/officer/25432-police-officer-jason-robert-raynor.
